Governor Crist welcomes Florida Blue Key

Author: Mrs. Katie Marquis Publication Date: Friday May 01, 2009

For the first time in Florida Blue Key's 86-year history, Florida's Governor opened the doors to the Governor's Mansion in Tallahassee for Florida Blue Key's Legislative Day held on March 31.

More than 60 UF student leaders visited the capital earlier that day to speak with legislators about the importance of higher education.

Crist encouraged the crowd of about 250, comprised of students, FBK alumni, legislators and UF President Bernie Machen, to continue their leadership in higher education.

"Keep going and keep fighting because you all are the voices of higher education," Crist said. "And we will continue to fight for higher education along with you."

In honor of FBK's political activism and involvement with the Florida Legislature, Crist also signed a proclamation decreeing March 31, 2009, as Florida Blue Key Day.

Cheree Suttles, a UF sophomore, said, "Our University has built a system of higher education which invests in Florida's future. We are here today to ensure that this foundation is sustained."

Suttles was among several students that toured the mansion and spoke with state officials throughout the day about policies being discussed during Session.

"Legislative Day provided the opportunity to speak with our leaders on a one-on-one basis, which is usually not possible due to their busy schedules," Suttles said. "Their participation in the event proved that student concerns are a top priority."

Among the day's events, students met with members of the Gator Caucus, a group of 54 members of the House and Senate who protect and promote issues affecting UF.

Many of the caucus leaders also have a strong Florida Blue Key connection.

In these discussions, the students addressed budget cuts and decreases in research dollars to UF's College of Medicine with nearly every representative.

Many legislators responded with plans for making Florida Bright Futures more competitive or raising tuition through the Differential Tuition Plan so Florida colleges would reflect national tuition averages.

Lastly, Lt. Gov. Jeffrey Kottkamp, briefed the students on his plan to diversify the economy with biomedical research and renewable energy.

"It is important you're here," Kottkamp said. "The budget has never gone down two years in a row, and now it is going down a third year."

Kottkamp, a graduate of the UF Levin College of Law and Florida Blue Key Honorary Tappee, used Shands Hospital's research on Parkinson's disease as an example of what will sustain Florida's growth for the future.

"We need medical research," Kottkamp said. "Those cutting edge breakthroughs bring venture capital to Florida."

Aron Weingard, President of Florida Blue Key, said he wanted to illustrate and provide a medium for students to use their Florida Blue Key leadership beyond the University, taking advantage of the opportunity to impact the future of the State of Florida.

"Tonight, we're uniting all of these facets within our student body to serve as the voice for our University, our organization and our state," Weingard said.

—Tyler Rutstein